
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. —James 1:2
Joy is more than happiness. It is a perpetual gladness in your heart that comes from experiencing, knowing, and trusting Jesus. Joy is knowing that God is always present and that He keeps his promises. Joy is your soul acknowledging that Jesus is real and lives within you.
We all go through trials and tribulations. Some of our trials seem to be so enormous that we will never be able to overcome the obstacles. How can we pay the bills when we have no job? How can God have made my child have diabetes? How can this young woman with no job skills take care of her veteran and find money to pay the bills when his injuries are so severe? The storm just came through, and I lost all of the food for the next two months when the power went out. Woe is me.
When you have no job, suddenly you get paid some money from a source you never thought would come through. God did not give your child diabetes, but it happened. God did give you doctors and scientists who developed diets and medications to help your child live a full life. This young women meets an angel who gives her lists of resources like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Bob and Deloris Hope Fund, and Give an Hour. The church food pantry got an extra supply of food and you were given emergency rations. As Psalm 30:5 says, “his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
God is always here for us. We can rejoice knowing that he will never leave or forsake us even when we are weeping the loudest. Let us always remember to think of God’s JOY when our soul is not listening because it only hears our weeping. The sun will come out tomorrow and we will find that our soul is refreshed knowing God’s JOY.
God, our JOY and pleasure, please help us to change our stories so that our soul always hears your promises even when we are weeping. Yes, things can look horrid, but you are always with us and the sun will shine tomorrow. Amen
Daphne G. Grady